Ironic Peace
Peace is a precious commodity that is in rare supply today. Anxiety, stress, worry, and fear permeate our society. The anticipation of severe negative impact on personal finances by high fuel prices causes stress. Rampant terrorist activity around the world causes apprehension about traveling anywhere. The tumultuous Middle East, including Iran’s nuclear program, generates fear and uncertainty about the future.
Satan loves fear because it can be so incapacitating. God, however, does not intend for His children to live in fear. In fact, the most frequently stated command in the Bible is, “Do not be afraid.” Peace and fear cannot coexist. The absence of fear, however, does not mean the absence of difficulty or even danger for that matter.
Clearly Jesus indicates to the disciples that peace is not dependent upon circumstances. Catch the irony in this story. The disciples were hiding behind locked doors for fear of the Jews. Jesus appears offering peace and immediately shows them his pierced side and nail-scarred hands that were inflicted as a result of the ferocious indictment of the Jews. Offering peace again, Jesus declares I am sending you just as the Father sent me. “Wait just a minute! We see clearly what happened to you. You want us to leave the safety of this locked room to go out among the Jews and among the Romans and Gentiles who executed your death sentence? That does not sound very peaceful!”
This is not new information. Jesus taught His disciples the same lessons before, “I have told you these things so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world” (John 16:33). The destruction of all trouble and sorrow and pain is not possible in our world. However, peace comes when our focus is not on the circumstances but on the risen Christ. He has the authority. He has overcome the world. We must simply remain in Him.
Blessings,
Pastor Gary
Satan loves fear because it can be so incapacitating. God, however, does not intend for His children to live in fear. In fact, the most frequently stated command in the Bible is, “Do not be afraid.” Peace and fear cannot coexist. The absence of fear, however, does not mean the absence of difficulty or even danger for that matter.
On the evening of that first day of the week, when the disciples were together,
with the doors locked for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and
said, “Peace be with you!” After he said this, he showed them his hands
and side. The disciples were overjoyed when they saw the Lord.
Again, Jesus said, “Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, I am
sending you.” (John 20:19-21).
Clearly Jesus indicates to the disciples that peace is not dependent upon circumstances. Catch the irony in this story. The disciples were hiding behind locked doors for fear of the Jews. Jesus appears offering peace and immediately shows them his pierced side and nail-scarred hands that were inflicted as a result of the ferocious indictment of the Jews. Offering peace again, Jesus declares I am sending you just as the Father sent me. “Wait just a minute! We see clearly what happened to you. You want us to leave the safety of this locked room to go out among the Jews and among the Romans and Gentiles who executed your death sentence? That does not sound very peaceful!”
This is not new information. Jesus taught His disciples the same lessons before, “I have told you these things so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world” (John 16:33). The destruction of all trouble and sorrow and pain is not possible in our world. However, peace comes when our focus is not on the circumstances but on the risen Christ. He has the authority. He has overcome the world. We must simply remain in Him.
Blessings,
Pastor Gary
David said it all: I saw God before me for all time. Nothing can shake me; He's right by my side. I'm glad from the inside out, ecstatic; I've pitched my tent in the Land of Hope. I know You'll never dump me in Hades; I'll never even smell the stench of death. You've got my feet on the life-path, with Your face shining sun-joy all around.
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